Effects of different vertebrate growth factors on primary cultures of hemocytes from the gastropod mollusc, Haliotis tuberculata.

A useful experimental system from primary cultures of hemocytes from Haliotis tuberculata has been established. Six days after initiation of the culture, the viability of hemocytes remained constant as measured by the MTT assay. In addition, hemocytes showed physiological responses as judged by protein and DNA syntheses in response to treatment with vertebrate growth factors. Porcine insulin and human epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated [3H]-leucine and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in hemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. No additive effect of insulin and EGF is observed either for [3H]-leucine or for [3H]-thymidine incorporation. The response of primary cultures of abalone hemocytes to vertebrate growth factors confirms their growth potential in vitro and provides a suitable model for further studies on regulation of the control of cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation and migration in invertebrate cells.